Question

prenatal developmental/lifespan considerations for the childbearing women( see pages 236-237), ward & Hisley

what are the developmental lifespan considerations for the childbearing women?

Answer 1

First Trimester is the period of greatest danger for drug-induced developmental defects. Drugs cross the placenta by by diffusion. Drug therapy during pregnancy can be broken down into three areas, drug properties, fetal gestational age and maternal factors. During the last trimester the greatest percent of maternally absorbed drug gets to the fetus. Pregnancy safety categories include A, D, X

A= no risk to human fetus.

D-possible fetal risk in humans reported, however consideration of potential risk might warrant use of these drugs in pregnant women.

X=fetal abnormalities have been reported and possible evidence of fetal risk in humans is available from animal and human studies.